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What is the best laminate trimmer for guitar making if I could only get one? Binding channels and flush cutting mostly.
Are there attachments I need to be thinking about compatibility for? Thanks.
-j.j.Brown39046.9874421296

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

PC 7310 for the quality/price ratio but if money is no object, get the PC 310.

Todd, how does the Bosh Colt performs in free hand work and we're talking how many $$$ please!

From all that I have tried, hands down the PC 310 is the best. But it is expensive.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Does the 310 have a tilt base?

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

I've been looking at the Lam. trimmers lately and Everyone loves the PC 310 or 7310. I'm interested in the Bosch colt also. It sure sounds like a good trimmer and at a good price. I think it was $109.00 but I can't remember where.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Question for all the non-americans here at the forum:

Is there a way to convert the power from 220 to 110, so that I can buy a
laminate trimmer from the us, for example the PC? There must be some
sort of little box or somthing that converts the voltage? The only laminate
trimmer ive seen on the swedish market is a DeWalt, and its got a
european price tag on it, 4000 swedish crowns.... 600 bucks. Id
rather buy one from LMI for example...

220 to 110 is easy enough with a transformer Lars .. what is the frequency over there, 50 or 60 hertz ?? a 60 hertz machine running on 50 hertz would likely over heat

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Thanks Dave and Todd, i'll definitely look for a Bosch Colt for the next toy i'll buy!

Lars, Tony is right, converting the power from 110 V to 220/240 V is easy with a transformer, the problem is the frequency; we have 50 Hz. It will probably work OK anyways though, at least for a while.

You can get other brands of trimmers here besides Dewalt; Festool, Virutex, Hitachi, Makita probably get the best reviews. But you are right, laminate trimmers are less common here than in the US, we usually have plunge bases even on the little 400 W ones.

I bought a couple of nice Hitachi trimmers from Axminster in the UK for about 800 NOK each, but I don't think they have them any more. They do have Festool however, they look very nice...

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Thanks Arnt, that was what I was worried to hear... Else I guess it would be more common to see people buying amps etc from the US.

The deal you got on the hitachis sounds great! I guess I'll wait and use the schools trimmer a little longer, and wait for the festool scholarship that Ill get when I take my gesallbrev. Its at 3000 SEK, so that will take me a little bit on the way at least...

The frequency is a problem with induction motors because the run at 5/6 of the designed speed, and may or may not overheat. A laminate trimmer uses what is known as a universal motor (has brushes) and really doesn't care what the frequency is unless it has an electronic speed control. You may want to contact the manufacturer and ask if the electronic package is compatable with 50 Hz.
If the MFG. says that it will work be sure that the transformer KVA rating is greater than the rating of the laminate trimmer then add a bit. For a 1Hp motor use a 1 1/2 to 2kva transformer and you'll be fine.

Al

i have looked at the bosch, and stil prefer the 310. it is not as powerful, but power is not everything. to my mind it is just better. i just wish i could afford the micro fence plung base for one! it is even sexier than bishop cochrans's!!! and pricier!!!!

porter cable used to make both tilt and offset bases for the 310, but for some reason dropped them. occasionally they surface on ebay or elsewhere either used, or nos. not long ago i got a nos 310 w/offset base from ebay for <$125.

conventional fixed base 310's often surface new on ebay for $125 - $130.

In magazine comparison reviews, the Bosch Colt usually wins, with the Ridgid R2400 coming in a close second. Their features are much the same, other than base shape--variable speed, soft start, electronic speed control. The Bosch has the edge, though, in its superior depth adjustment. Ridgid's is hit-or-miss (i.e. it's pretty much, "loosen the knob, move the body up or down, tighten the knob"). The Ridgid comes with a lifetime warranty (on everything--even the brushes!) and is about 20 bucks cheaper, which are things you may want to consider.

I have the Ridgid model, and I like it--except, of course, the depth control.

[QUOTE=Lars Rasmussen] Question for all the non-americans here at the forum:

Is there a way to convert the power from 220 to 110, so that I can buy a
laminate trimmer from the us, for example the PC? There must be some
sort of little box or somthing that converts the voltage? The only laminate
trimmer ive seen on the swedish market is a DeWalt, and its got a
european price tag on it, 4000 swedish crowns.... 600 bucks. Id
rather buy one from LMI for example...[/QUOTE]

Lars, most of my power tools are 110V bought from the US and I just run on a standard UK site transformer, I have never experienced any overheating (we are 50hz) my blanket is 110v from John Hall, I use the De Walt lam trimmer and bought my 400 drmel from the states as well. I'm much happier with 110V hand tools (they are a requirement on UK commercial sites, due to Health and safety legislation.)

Russell also runs a 110V shop for his hand tools, also from the states.

This is the place I buy the tools from, though not the transformers.

Maxtool

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Hi Colin,
are you talking about on like this

UK site transformers

or do you think one these might be better

American 120V transformer?

I need one, but the ones available here are a lot more expensive than those. The shipping from the UK to Norway will probably be quite high for the 12 kg + ones though

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

You can get refurbished PC310 directly from Porter Cable for about $135. I have purchased several refurbished routers and trimmers from them and they are like-new and have full warrenty - good deal!

http://portercable.cpoworkshop.com/reconditioned_tools/lamin ate_trimmers/310r.html

The best price I found on the net was from "Tools Plus" for $139, brand new.

Price comparison for PC 310

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

I don't know anything about the Bosch Colt, but I have a Bosch laminate trimmer and the shaft lock is VERY inconvenient- you have to shove a slotted bar through the top of the unit to lock the shaft. I much prefer trimmers where you can use ordinary wrenches if you misplace (hey, my shop is messy..) the special tools provided.
John

Arnt, yes the UK site transformer is what both Russell and I use. I have a 3kw one that can handle anything I throw at it. Russell has a wiring circuit running from his with the sockets round his shop. You do have to get the plugs for each appliance but they are only about ?1.50 each,you can see one here on my dremel, they are the Rolls Royce of power plugs!



Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Thanks Colin. Yes, those plugs certainly look sturdy enough!

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

What are some examples of what you use a trimmer like this instead of a regular router for in guitar making.

I run mostly US power tools on regular 220-110 transformers; have 5 I've gotten from army surplus places, rated between 1500 and 2000 watts, none more than 30 dollars.